Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

To the Memory of Lieutenant Nathaniel Sherman

Of the city of New York, adjutant 6th regiment United States Infantry, who died at Sackett’s Harbour (during the expedition against York) of a fever, occasioned by excessive fatigue on the march of that regiment from Plattsburg. It is due to the merits of this promising young officer to say, that his extreme mortification at being unable to proceed with his regiment was the cause of a relapse in the disorder, which suddenly terminated his existence.

LAMENTED youth, accept the tear

That falls unbidden on thy bier,

And dews the lonely urn;

Ah! but for war’s destructive power,

You still had cheer’d the social hour

Of those who now must mourn.

Yet not where battle’s vengeful storms

The face of genial day deforms,

Death’s sable curtain drew;

But had that been thy honour’d part,

Thy dauntless breast had met the dart,

First of the daring few.

Yes, Glory’s call had urged thee on

Where’er a deathless name was won,

Thy gleaming sword to bare;

And where Fame opes her temple wide,

Had cheerful pour’d the crimson tide,

To grave thy memory there.

But cold Disease assail’d thy breast,

Her icy hand thy temples press’d,

And chain’d the towering mind;

And there, amid the din of war,

From home and soothing friendship far,

Thy martial soul resign’d.

Ah! who shall paint the mother’s grief

Or bring to those fond souls relief,

Who kindred fetters wear!

None, none—they loved the youth too well;

Their bleeding hearts alone can tell

How deep their sorrows are.